We have such a shortage of family doctors here, that if you do have one, you're lucky to get an appointment within 2 weeks, much less anything out of the basic necessities. We don't have the luxury of being able to find another doctor because there just aren't any other doctors to be found in most places right now.

So I have to do all my own research. I read, browse the Internet, listen to what has worked for other women here - and then I either try things out myself or take my research to my doctor and see what she thinks. She's open to alternatives, but just doesn't have the time to do all the specific research. I don't mind, especially since she's open to discussing what I've researched.

But lately I've been so healthy that I don't have to take anything at all anymore, except echineacea once in awhile when I feel a sniffle or sore throat - 2-3 days of echineacea and a positive attitude have been all I've needed to ward anything off for almost a year now.